Because I have more time on my hands than I know what to do with, I thought that I should get my wish list together for what I want to see our Saints do this offseason. All of the salary cap information found in this post was gotten from Spotrac.com, and information on draft prospects was gotten from NFLDraftscout.com. The statistical performance for pro players was gotten from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Before you dive into this, know that it is my ideal wish list set in a perfect world where the breaks go our way and players are available where they are selected and for those prices. It's very unlikely that everything (or much of anything) I'm hoping for comes true, but it's fun to dream and speculate. So let's get started! I handled this chronologically, first addressing our existing contracts and salary cap situation, then our own pending free agents, then available free agents predicted to hit the market, and finally draft selections.

Salary Cap Situation

The first concern of the offseason is addressing our salary cap situation. As of right now, the league-wide salary cap is projected to be $126,300,000. Given the contracts currently in place, we will be entering the new season with a cap figure of $135,040,190; this gives a negative difference of $8,740,190 that will need to be cut before the beginning of the year. Furthermore, that number will need to become a positive difference if we want to re-sign any of our own free agents, much less add any pieces in free agency. So let’s take a look at our players under contract whose release or restructuring (conversion of this year’s cap figure into dead money for future years that can’t be erased) could affect the cap.

Existing Contracts

QB Drew Brees; the future Hall of Famer is owed a cap hit of $18,400,000 this year with a dead money figure of $22,200,000. Obviously releasing the best player in team history is out of the question, but restructuring his contract is a possibility. What’s interesting with this is Brees’ cap number only goes up in the coming years but his cap figure goes down at $26,400,000 ($14,800,000 dead) in 2015 and $27,400,000 ($7,400,000) in 2016. This presents a problem in that restructuring Brees this year will give him a big dead money hit in the next two years, where his cap hits will also be larger than this year. Brees’ contract is designed for eating the bad cap hit in 2014 and then restructuring in 2015 and/or 2016, with possibly a one- or two-year extension added on after it ends to spread the cap damage out even further. It’s very likely that Mickey Loomis and the front office has a plan similar to this for Brees in mind, and that nothing will happen with his contract in 2014.

WR Marques Colston; the most prolific receiver in franchise history (sorry, Joe Horn and Eric Martin) is owed $8,300,000 ($10,100,000 dead money) in 2014. Like Brees, he has an increasing cap hit and decreasing dead money number in the next few years of his contract at $9,700,000 ($5,600,000 dead) in 2015 and $10,500,000 ($2,800,000 dead) in 2016. The argument could be made that Colston did not earn his keep this year, and should take a pay cut or restructure; while Colston was invisible for most of the season he did finish a high note, burning the Seattle secondary for 11 catches on 16 targets for 144 yards (43 of them after the catch), dropping only one reception and catching a crucial touchdown in tight coverage in a futile comeback effort. Ultimately Colston came up short of another 1,000-yard season, but his highly productive finish against the lauded Legion of Boom will give his representatives a bargaining chip against taking a pay cut or restructuring in 2014. However, Colston has been willing to take one for the team in the past, and his low dead money figures in future years could mean that he restructures. For the purposes of this wish list, let’s say that Colston restructures in 2014, bringing his cap hit down to $4,000,000 in 2014 with a dead money figure of $9,900,000 in 2015.

DE/OLB Will Smith; for most of the 2000’s the defensive end who moonlighted as a linebacker this offseason was the best player on our defense. But those days are long gone, and in the final year of the ill-advised six-year, $61,400,000 contract extension Smith was given he presents the easiest decision to make for managing the 2014 salary cap. Smith is the second-highest paid player on the roster and is owed $13,902,451 ($2,352,451 dead). The very low cap figure would result in savings of $11,550,000. Smith did take a pay cut in 2013 and made an effort to lose weight in preparation for a move to OLB, but an ACL tear in the preseason ended that gambit. In retrospect, the loss of Smith may have addition by subtraction, as it brought San Francisco 49ers OLB Parys Haralson to the Crescent City in exchange for a 2014 NFL Draft 7th Round selection (more on both Haralson and the value of that pick later). For this article, I’ll be assuming that Smith is released, freeing up $11,550,000 against the 2014 salary cap.

G Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs; the duo of Pro Bowl guards had another very productive year, surrendering a combined five sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 36 hurries while drawing 11 penalties (in contrast, benched tackle Charles Brown alone gave up seven sacks, nine hits, and 33 hurries with 12 penalties). Both guards are here to stay through at least 2016, and with upgrades at left tackle and center could see their performances improve even more. Obviously releasing either guard is out of the question in 2014, but both of them have contracts that are open for restructuring: Evans is earning $11,000,000 in 2014 ($8,500,000 dead) and 2015 ($5,000,000 dead), and $10,200,000 ($1,500,000 dead) in 2016, while Grubbs is earning $9,100,000 ($9,000,000 dead) in 2014, $9,600,000 ($6,000,000 dead) in 2015, and $10,300,000 ($3,000,000 dead) in 2016. That’s a lot to process, so here’s the gist of it; restructuring neither Grubbs nor Evans in 2014 would not free up much money in the long term because of their high cap hits in future years. Given the big contracts we’ll be owing Cameron Jordan and Akiem Hicks in 2015, and Kenny Vaccaro and Terron Armstead in 2017, it may be best not to mess with Evans’ and Grubbs’ contracts in 2014.

SS Roman Harper; another product of a bloated contract, our resident liability in coverage is due a $5,870,000 cap hit ($3,690,000) in 2014 and a $4,470,000 ($970,000) cap hit in 2015. Harper missed a lot of 2014 with injury and did not perform well when healthy, giving up a completion percentage of 68.8% when thrown at and an average of 11.6 yards per catch with no passes deflected. Everyone knows that Harper’s role is not in pass coverage, and he has been adequate as a run defender and pass rusher. But his successor, Kenny Vaccaro, is already on the roster and succeeds where Harper loses in coverage, so Harper doesn’t have much of a place on the team. Releasing Harper would only free up $2,180,000 against the salary cap in 2014, and $3,500,000 in 2015. A concern with this is our lack of depth at the safety position – 2013 First Round NFL Draft selection Kenny Vaccaro is coming back from a broken ankle, longtime backup Isa Abdul-Quddus was released before the beginning of the postseason, and 2013 starters Rafael Bush and Malcolm Jenkins are both free agents. Additionally, there don’t seem to be many affordable options projected at safety in free agency and the rookie class is not impressive, with the talent gap from Alabama’s Ha’sean Clinton-Dix, Louisville’s Calvin Pryor, and Washington State’s Deone Bucannon being very steep. It’s likely that this scarcity of talent will keep Roman Harper around for another season. For this article, though, Harper is released.

CB Jabari Greer; one of the best DB’s in recent franchise memory is owed $5,825,000 ($2,650,000 dead) and coming off of a torn ACL in 2014. He is also owed $6,025,000 ($1,325,000 dead) in 2015. He’ll be 32 on February 11 and demonstrated an inability to handle larger, younger receivers on the outside like Chicago’s Alshon Jeffrey (whom we will be seeing again in 2014) and New England’s Kembrell Thompkins. Greer is undoubtedly valuable to our secondary and team, but depending on how well he rehabilitates his knee injury he may face a pay cut or his last season as a Saint. Releasing Greer outright would free up $3,175,000 in 2014 and $4,700,000 in 2015. However, like Roman Harper’s situation, there is little depth behind Greer – lockdown corner Keenan Lewis is clearly the best at his position on the team, nickel corner Corey White has shown promise, and 2013 UDFA Rod Sweeting did well as a reserve corner, but beyond them the secondary is filled with journeymen and turnstiles. In this scenario, Greer restructured his salary cap hit in 2014 to $2,000,000 and his dead money total in 2015 to $5,150,000.

WR Lance Moore; the fan favorite receiver is due $5,068,750 ($2,357,500 dead) in 2014 and $5,568,750 ($1,268,750 dead) in 2015. Moore had a career year in 2012 (65 catches for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns) before following up with a decidedly more pedestrian season (37 catches for 457 yards and two touchdowns). Moore was also ineffective on punt returns, fumbling a critical punt that led to a San Francisco 49ers touchdown. The emergence of 2013 NFL Draft Fifth Round selection Kenny Stills may have made Moore obsolete in New Orleans. Combining that with the $2,711,250 freed from the salary cap and the depth of this year’s rookie class, Moore could very well not return in 2014. For the purposes of this article, Moore is released.

RB Darren Sproles; the minute utility tool is due $3,400,000 ($750,000 dead) in the final year of his contract. Sproles was efficient in 2013 but not nearly as productive as in previous seasons, gathering 251 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries (4.2 yards per carry) and 667 yards and two touchdowns on 80 catches (8.3 yards per catch). Sproles was not effective as a kick or punt returner (and neither was backup Travaris Cadet), diminishing his value. It is very unlikely that Sproles is released in 2014, but his unremarkable stats and lack of effectiveness as a returner mean that he could very well take a pay cut. For the purposes of this exercise, Sproles’ contract is extended into 2015 and his salary cap hit reduced to $2,125,000 for both 2014 and 2015.

RB Pierre Thomas; a favorite Saint of many fans, the “PT Bruiser” is due $2,900,000 (no dead money) in 2014. Thomas didn’t do much to lose his roster spot as the Saints offensive line and Payton’s lack of commitment to the rushing attack took opportunities away from him – even with those hurdles, Thomas gained 549 yards and two touchdowns on 147 carries (3.7 yards per carry) and 513 yards and three touchdowns on 77 catches (6.7 yards per catch) while forcing 43 missed tackles on the season. Unfortunately, several factors may spell the end for Thomas’ career in New Orleans; he will be 30 years old in December, and is a do-it-all back surrounded by specialists in Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson as power backs and Darren Sproles and Travaris Cadet as scat backs. Taking this together with the $2,900,000 freed up in salary cap space if he is released, Thomas’ future is uncertain. For this scenario, Thomas is released.

In conclusion; after making these cuts and restructurings, we would be in a much more favorable salary cap situation. We would be $21,726,060 underneath the salary cap, paying only $104,573,940 to our players. This would be more than enough to sign our own pending free agents and add pieces in free agency. Additionally, whatever we didn’t use this year would roll over into 2015, which would be very beneficial.

OC Brian De La Puente; not retained. He’s wavered from terribly average to an obvious liability but will get paid by someone. We need to renew focus on the rushing attack and he is a weak link in that area.

DE Kenyon Coleman; not retained. While Rob Ryan had a very high opinion of Coleman and he was projected to start until he tore a pectoral muscle in training camp, it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be back given our depth on the defensive line and the price it would cost to keep him.

FB Jedediah Gabriel Collins; not retained. He’s one of the better fullbacks In the game and important in our offense, but Austin Johnson has spent his time on the practice squad and should be ready to regularly contribute in games. Hopefully Jed can be back at an affordable price but given our situation I’m not optimistic.

ILB Jonathan Vilma; not retained. One of the greats of the Sean Payton Era but his time is up.

OLB Will Herring; not retained. He’s a special teams ace and captain but Courtney Roby’s release last year showed how little that means. Cheaper depth is out there for the taking, and may already be on the roster in the form of Kevin Reddick.

DT/DE Tom Johnson; not retained. He’s quality depth and would be worth keeping but may be too expensive. There will be cheaper options in the draft and free agency.

PK Shayne Graham; not retained. He was a temporary fix and while he may be worth taking into camp for competition he is not a long-term answer at placekicker.

FS Malcolm Jenkins; not retained. In four years as a Saint he has never taken the leap to the next level. However, some team will see something in him and he will get a big payday somewhere.

LT Charles Brown; not retained. He was our worst offensive player for most of the year and should not be back in the Black and Gold.

In conclusion, these free agents brought back would cost $12,580,000 against the salary cap, resulting in $6,446,060.

__________________Long offseason got you down? Check out my articles about Saints rookies, unit breakdowns, game previews and reviews, and more at Cover32.com and follow me on Twitter for updates, notes, and news on the Black and Gold.

S/LB Taylor Mays; $3,000,000/two years ($1,500,000/year). 2014 salary cap hit of $1,500,000. At 6’3” and 230 pounds, Mays is a versatile defender with experience at safety and linebacker but never found a niche in San Francisco or Cincinnati. Coming off of a season-ending shoulder dislocation, he shouldn’t demand too much money. He turns 26 years old on February 7, and is still young enough for to find his role in Rob Ryan’s defense as a compliment to Kenny Vaccaro and be coached up to his potential under Coach Wesley McGriff.

WR/KR/PR/RB Dexter McCluster; $5,400,000/three years ($1,800,000/year). 2014 salary cap hit of $1,200,000. McCluster is a 5’9” and 170 pound bag of misused potential. He was drafted into the exercise of futility that was the Matt Cassel-led Kansas City Chiefs and never panned out. Andy Reid was able to use the Ole Miss product better and found a perfect use for him as a punt returner, averaging 12.1 yards per return and scoring two touchdowns on returns of 89 and 74 yards. However, the Chiefs have a lot of free agents to consider in 2014 and the offensive coaching staff is reportedly looking for bigger-bodied receivers. It’s very possible that McCluster would test free agency, and the Saints would be wise to sign him. He’ll be 26 on September 25 and could learn a lot from Darren Sproles while replacing the largely ineffective Travaris Cadet.

WR Kenny Britt; $1,100,000/one year ($1,100,000/year). 2014 salary cap hit of $1,100,000. At 6’3” and 220 pounds and running a 4.47-40 yard time, Britt could be just what the doctor ordered for a Saints offense that struggled to go vertical at times in 2014. Britt has the size and speed to compete with coverage of questionable legality, but there are concerns about his work ethic and off-field attitude. Sources from within the Titans organization have said that Britt and Jake Locker have never had much of a chemistry, which may have spread to divide Britt from the coaching staff that seemed to give up on him. Those sources have also said that Britt has cleaned up his act and wants a change of scenery in 2014, something that has helped many other troubled players in the past. Where would be a better fit than in New Orleans? The concerns about Britt may be enough to limit the length of his deal, so a one-year “prove it” contract with a Super Bowl title contender could be enough to motivate Britt to playing up for a better deal later on down the road.

OC Evan Dietrich-Smith; $18,000,000/three year ($6,000,000/year). 2014 salary cap hit of $1,300,000. A 2012 UDFA, Dietrich-Smith emerged in 2013 from behind Jeff Saturday to lead the way for a highly productive Green Bay rushing attack. He is larger than Brian De La Puente at 6’2” and 297 pounds but is just as good of a pass protector and is miles better at run blocking. Dietrich-Smith may not sniff free agency, but Green Bay is severely limited by what they can do in the coming years with the huge contracts given to Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews with other stars in BJ Raji, James Jones, and Sam Shields also waiting in the wings. Dietrich-Smith could hit the free market, and if that happens he would be an excellent upgrade from De La Puente. He’ll be 29 years old in July and would bolster the interior offensive line for years to come.

In Conclusion; making these critical moves in free agency would add youth and talent to both sides of the ball while not breaking the bank. It would reduce the space beneath the salary cap to $3,046,060, which would be sufficient for signing 2014 NFL Draft selections and any in-season moves.

2014 NFL Draft Selections

First Round Selection (27th Overall): FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville. A 6’2” and 208 pound terror in the backfield, Pryor is a playmaking tackle machine who can sit deep in a zone or creep up to play the run. Pryor has great ball skills, intercepting three passes and breaking up four others in 2013. He has the speed to play free safety and the size and tenacity to play strong safety. Pryor would be an excellent compliment to Kenny Vaccaro, making for a versatile young safety combination for years to come. $1,230,000 against the salary cap.

Second Round Selection (59th Overall): CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska. The former wide receiver measured in at 6’3” and 220 pounds at the Senior Bowl and looked every inch and ounce of it. Jean-Baptiste is not as experienced as a defender as other seniors, showing poor tackling technique and speed in pursuit when beaten. But he makes up for that with powerful jamming skills at the line of scrimmage, seamless movement in space in backpedaling and flipping his hips to run with his man, and very good ball skills – Jean-Baptiste had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2013. Even if he didn’t start right away in 2014, he would have a lot to offer as a project and should be able to quickly step up and into the lineup opposite Keenan Lewis. $660,000 against the salary cap.

Third Round Selection (91st Overall): OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech. At 6’3” and 252 pounds with an 81 ¼” wingspan and a 40-yard dash time expected to be in the 4.60 second range, Attaochu has all of the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. He is a versatile defender with vicious hand usage but clear (but fixable) holes in his game – he has difficulty shedding blocks and can be moved downfield too easily, and his passion has gotten the better of him in the past. The Saints met with Attaochu at least twice at the Senior Bowl, and he could have a lot to learn from veterans Victor Butler (who will likely not be back in 2015) and Parys Haralson (provided he’s back in 2014) while playing as a part-time pass-rushing specialist. $530,500 against the salary cap.

Fourth Round Selection (123rd Overall): OT Billy Turner, North Dakota State. A highly athletic 6’5” and 316 pound offensive tackle, Turner dominated the FCS, leading his team to three consecutive national titles. He seemed to struggle with speed rushers at the Senior Bowl but improved as the week of practices wore on. What would be ideal is to put Turner at RT (he played LT for four years in college) behind a veteran like Zach Strief, Eric Winston, or Tyson Clabo for a year so he can adjust to the speed of the NFL and refine his game. It’s very possible that Turner won’t be available late in the Fourth Round, but he would be worth trading back into the Third Round to grab (remind you of last year?). $509,000 against the salary cap.

Fifth Round Selection (155th Overall): WR Jeff Janis, Saginaw Valley State. This is one of the deepest WR classes in years, pushing high quality players down draft boards for no fault of their own. Division II All-American Jeff Janis, a 6’2” and 212 pound burner with a 40-yard time that may number in the 4.30 range, is no exception. He was absolutely dominant in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, recording 83 catches for 1,572 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final year of college eligibility. Janis would be a great selection to study under incumbent Marques Colston and pair with young weapon Kenny Stills for the future. $450,600 against the salary cap.

Sixth Round Selection (187th Overall): PK Cairo Santos, Tulane. The Brazil native was perfect in extra point attempts and 45-of-55 in his career, winning the Lou Groza Award, College Football Performance National Kicker of the Year, and Associated Press All-American in 2012. Santos (which literally translates into Portuguese as “Saint”) spent all four years in college kicking in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and is as automatic as a kicker can get. The precedent made by the Saints’ selecting Punter Thomas Morstead in the Fifth Round of the 2009 NFL Draft and glaring hole at Placekicker plus Santos’ connections with the Saints through Tulane Head Coach (and former Saints Wide Receivers Coach) Curtis Johnson make this selection a no-brainer. $420,000 against the salary cap.

__________________Long offseason got you down? Check out my articles about Saints rookies, unit breakdowns, game previews and reviews, and more at Cover32.com and follow me on Twitter for updates, notes, and news on the Black and Gold.

I love this writeup. My only changes would be to keep Pierre Thomas (or maybe extend him for 2 years), sign Jacoby Ford (if McCluster turns out to be to too expensive), and find a way to draft Pierre Desir in the mid rounds.

Nice Job, I like your Draft but Third round, I think we go Dri Archer/DeAnthony Thomas and release Sproles,but I don't like the Taylor Mays, I think Bush fits well and is cheaper to keep, with Pryor,KV,and Bush, were be good, but everything looks good!!!

First Round Selection (27th Overall): FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville. A 6’2” and 208 pound terror in the backfield, Pryor is a playmaking tackle machine who can sit deep in a zone or creep up to play the run. Pryor has great ball skills, intercepting three passes and breaking up four others in 2013. He has the speed to play free safety and the size and tenacity to play strong safety. Pryor would be an excellent compliment to Kenny Vaccaro, making for a versatile young safety combination for years to come. $1,230,000 against the salary cap.

Second Round Selection (59th Overall): CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska. The former wide receiver measured in at 6’3” and 220 pounds at the Senior Bowl and looked every inch and ounce of it. Jean-Baptiste is not as experienced as a defender as other seniors, showing poor tackling technique and speed in pursuit when beaten. But he makes up for that with powerful jamming skills at the line of scrimmage, seamless movement in space in backpedaling and flipping his hips to run with his man, and very good ball skills – Jean-Baptiste had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2013. Even if he didn’t start right away in 2014, he would have a lot to offer as a project and should be able to quickly step up and into the lineup opposite Keenan Lewis. $660,000 against the salary cap.

Third Round Selection (91st Overall): OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech. At 6’3” and 252 pounds with an 81 ¼” wingspan and a 40-yard dash time expected to be in the 4.60 second range, Attaochu has all of the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. He is a versatile defender with vicious hand usage but clear (but fixable) holes in his game – he has difficulty shedding blocks and can be moved downfield too easily, and his passion has gotten the better of him in the past. The Saints met with Attaochu at least twice at the Senior Bowl, and he could have a lot to learn from veterans Victor Butler (who will likely not be back in 2015) and Parys Haralson (provided he’s back in 2014) while playing as a part-time pass-rushing specialist. $530,500 against the salary cap.

Fourth Round Selection (123rd Overall): OT Billy Turner, North Dakota State. A highly athletic 6’5” and 316 pound offensive tackle, Turner dominated the FCS, leading his team to three consecutive national titles. He seemed to struggle with speed rushers at the Senior Bowl but improved as the week of practices wore on. What would be ideal is to put Turner at RT (he played LT for four years in college) behind a veteran like Zach Strief, Eric Winston, or Tyson Clabo for a year so he can adjust to the speed of the NFL and refine his game. It’s very possible that Turner won’t be available late in the Fourth Round, but he would be worth trading back into the Third Round to grab (remind you of last year?). $509,000 against the salary cap.

Fifth Round Selection (155th Overall): WR Jeff Janis, Saginaw Valley State. This is one of the deepest WR classes in years, pushing high quality players down draft boards for no fault of their own. Division II All-American Jeff Janis, a 6’2” and 212 pound burner with a 40-yard time that may number in the 4.30 range, is no exception. He was absolutely dominant in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, recording 83 catches for 1,572 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final year of college eligibility. Janis would be a great selection to study under incumbent Marques Colston and pair with young weapon Kenny Stills for the future. $450,600 against the salary cap.

Sixth Round Selection (187th Overall): PK Cairo Santos, Tulane. The Brazil native was perfect in extra point attempts and 45-of-55 in his career, winning the Lou Groza Award, College Football Performance National Kicker of the Year, and Associated Press All-American in 2012. Santos (which literally translates into Portuguese as “Saint”) spent all four years in college kicking in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and is as automatic as a kicker can get. The precedent made by the Saints’ selecting Punter Thomas Morstead in the Fifth Round of the 2009 NFL Draft and glaring hole at Placekicker plus Santos’ connections with the Saints through Tulane Head Coach (and former Saints Wide Receivers Coach) Curtis Johnson make this selection a no-brainer. $420,000 against the salary cap.

I love this writeup. My only changes would be to keep Pierre Thomas (or maybe extend him for 2 years), sign Jacoby Ford (if McCluster turns out to be to too expensive), and find a way to draft Pierre Desir in the mid rounds.

I love PT too but I can't help but feel that he doesn't have a role in the offense anymore. Ingram and Robinson proved they can carry the load as power backs and occasional receivers. Sproles and McCluster (if we picked him up) are more than capable scat backs. PT is still one of the best screen backs in the game, but that's very much a niche role that our opponents have keyed in on. At almost three million against the cap I can't see keeping him with so many mouths to feed in our backfield. I don't like Jacoby Ford, he's proven on many occasions to have poor hands and that won't do in our offense. I'd love to see Desir selected in the middle rounds but I feel like the secret is out on him, SJB, and Keith McGill - teams are wanting those big, physical corners and may be willing to spend even a late first round pick on them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michaellunden9

Very good except letting jed collins go do not agree with that

Jed is one of my favorite offensive players hands down. But it wasn't an accident that Austin Johnson landed on our practice squad and I don't know that Jed will be an affordable option moving forward. I really wish we could keep him but I just don't see it happening unless he takes a bare minimum salary, which he shouldn't because he deserves more than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by projeck33

Nice Job, I like your Draft but Third round, I think we go Dri Archer/DeAnthony Thomas and release Sproles,but I don't like the Taylor Mays, I think Bush fits well and is cheaper to keep, with Pryor,KV,and Bush, were be good, but everything looks good!!!

Archer/Thomas would be awesome pickups in the third round, and could learn a lot from Sproles if we kept him at a lower price. I feel like Mays' potential has been wasted so far in his career and he could be a very versatile piece in our D, lining up anywhere in the back seven. He'd be worth checking out at least, especially with the lack of depth we'll probably have at safety.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountaineerdude

Rafael Bush is a servicable backup .... He is not an NFL starter .... And why would Loomis give him a 12 million contract extension and then draft Calvin pryor in the 1st round?

I disagree, Bush has proven everything he's needed to in two years as a rotational player to deserve a payday and a starting job. Three million a year is not crazy for him. He's certainly a better option than Malcolm Jenkins. Looking at our safety situation we only have two on the roster in 2014 right now - Kenny Vaccaro coming off of an ankle injury, Roman Harper continuing to be an overpaid liability in coverage. Isa Abdul-Quddus was waived, Jordan Pugh isn't likely to return, and Malcolm Jenkins can get paid somewhere else after being a bust for us. It makes a lot of sense to me to keep our second-best safety and draft the second-best one in the draft to make a weak position into a strong one. Pryor should challenge Bush for the starting job and hopefully take it in his second year. And even so, Rob Ryan loves to use 3-2-5 schemes with multiple safeties, so Pryor would see a lot of snaps as a rookie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunSaint

I dont get the Tulane kicker love...i really dont. Wouldnt surprise me that he doesnt even get drafted.

That's fine, you're welcome to your opinion. I just think bringing in someone who is used to kicking in the Superdome and already familiar with what we expect from our personnel is a smart move. Even if we don't grab Santos we should definitely draft a kicker in the 6th Round. We need to get someone we can rely on for the next decade like Minnesota (Blair Walsh) and St. Louis (Greg Zuerlin) have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliSaint4Life

Gronk is making $9M per year, you think Jimmy will make $7.5M per year?

Okay, I see what happened. When I looked at Gronk's contract I saw it as 54 million over 8 years, I forgot that he was extended from the 2 years already on his contract. So I modeled Jimmy's possible deal off of wrong numbers, my bad. I think that Jimmy will get a little more than Gronk but not much. He is awful at blocking and not an every-down player like Gronk is, which will hurt his case for more money in spite of his prolific receiving numbers. I don't see him getting more than 10.5 million per year.

__________________Long offseason got you down? Check out my articles about Saints rookies, unit breakdowns, game previews and reviews, and more at Cover32.com and follow me on Twitter for updates, notes, and news on the Black and Gold.

I would keep Bush but not give him that kinda contract ..... And I think Loomis made it clear in his interview during senior bowl that they want Jenkins back .... I am fine with Jenkins .... He played well when KV was healthy ..... Once KV went down and he teamed up with his old buddy Roman Harper, his performance went down ...... Harper is the root of all evil ...... We need a CB so I loved you Stanley Jean-Baptiste pick .... he seems really good ...... Oh and I think we need to pull the trigger on either Allen Robinson or Jordan Matthews ...... Here's my dream draft ...
Round 1: Kyle Van Noy - DE/OlB
Round 2: Jordan Matthews/Allen Robinson - WR
Round 3: Stanley Jean-Baptiste - CB
Round 4: Brian Stork - OC/OG